After the rain, remember to Drain and Cover

The Mosquito Control and Habitat Management Division promotes ways to prevent mosquito breeding with ongoing public information campaign

MIAMI (June
08, 2017) —

Once the sun reemerges, County officials urge residents to "Fight the Bite" by eliminating any standing water in back yards and around residential properties. Certain mosquito species such as the Aedes aegypti require very little collected rainwater to carry on with their life cycle. As little as a plastic bottle cap full of water is enough for eggs to hatch in, which makes it critical for those who live in Miami-Dade County to remain vigilant and mobilize after stormy conditions move out of the area.

"This is a good opportunity to remind residents that rainy weather facilitates the conditions necessary for mosquito breeding," says Chalmers Vasquez, Mosquito Surveillance Manager for Miami-Dade County's Mosquito Control and Habitat Management Division. "Once the weather clears up, we ask that homeowners make it a priority to inspect their yards and drain any standing water." Just a few simple steps can stop mosquitoes from living and multiplying around homes and businesses.

The County's "Drain and Cover" campaign offers the following tips:

Drain standing water from garbage cans, house gutters, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected.

Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances, and other items that aren't being used.

Empty and clean birdbaths and pets' water bowls at least once or twice a week.

Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.

Maintain the water balance (pool chemistry) of swimming pools. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

Cover your skin with clothing if you must be outside when mosquitoes are active. Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long sleeves.

Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are effective.

Use mosquito netting to protect young children, especially those younger than two months.

Cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house. Repair broken screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios.

For more information about Miami-Dade County’s Mosquito Control and Habitat Management program and more tips for managing mosquitoes, please visit http://www.miamidade.gov/mosquito.

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To request materials in accessible format, sign language interpreters, and/or any accommodation to participate in any County-sponsored program or meeting, please call 305-514-6653 or email, [email protected], five days in advance to initiate your request. TTY users may also call 711 (Florida Relay Service).